Speculation: Implications of Canada joining the EU

[Jumptheshark]

The UK was doing much better in the EU, that's rarely even debated these days. There was no problem making it work in the EU. Their economy has flatlined since they've tried to go alone.

That is an understatement

 

[daver]

On the plus side for the EU, the term "soft euro" would go by the wayside.

 

[Voight]

I think EU is a logical step Canada should seriously consider. Canada is not really able to handle an aggressive country like the USA if they decide to damage us, especially with our currency.

it's in USA's best interest that we don't join, but it's starting to feel like we might need to do something drastic because we're gonna be in trouble in the long run if this continues.

I think most Canadians would probably agree that we're not in a good position right now and there's no easy way out of this to keep our autonomy. If we need to adopt the Euro, let's do it.

The EU has more negatives than positives IMO, Canada would be making a mistake.

But anyways, I dont wanna be the one to nuke this thread.

 

[Yukon Joe]

In correct. UK kept our pound the entire time we were in the EU

Yes - because the UK was a member of the EU when the Euro was being negotiated and was able to negotiate itself a carve-out. Same as it did on a lot of agricultural policy.

Canada, if it tried to enter the EU, would not be coming from a position of strength, and would have to accept the entire EU system, including the Euro.

 

[No Fun Shogun]

Not to get on-topic, but has anyone remotely of note associated with either Canada or the European Union remotely suggested that Canada joining the EU is an actual possibility, or is this just empty wishful thinking? Seems like little more than an opinion piece conjecture.

 

[Golden_Jet]

Not to get on-topic, but has anyone remotely of note associated with either Canada or the European Union remotely suggested that Canada joining the EU is an actual possibility, or is this just empty wishful thinking? Seems like little more than an opinion piece conjecture.

Agree it’s an opinion piece, and with no substance.

Especially when it starts out,
Europe needs space and resources and Canada needs people. Let’s deal.

​

 

[MeHateHe]

Not to get on-topic, but has anyone remotely of note associated with either Canada or the European Union remotely suggested that Canada joining the EU is an actual possibility, or is this just empty wishful thinking? Seems like little more than an opinion piece conjecture.

A former German finance minister said somewhere that that the fact that Canada isn't in Europe isn't an impediment to joining the EU.

Nach Drohungen von Trump - Früherer Bundesaußenminister Gabriel schlägt EU-Mitgliedschaft Kanadas vor

Der frühere Bundesaußenminister Gabriel hat vorgeschlagen, Kanada in die EU aufzunehmen.

www-deutschlandfunk-de.translate.goog

Here's a good explainer.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/canada-european-union-1.7446400

The EU is essentially a political body, not really a geographic one. Some folks on Bluesky were musing that because Canada and Denmark share a border on Hans Island so we are already a part of Europe.

What's more likely - and you're seeing politicians say this - is that there will be closer ties with Europe and increased trade relationships.

 

[Yukon Joe]

A former German finance minister said somewhere that that the fact that Canada isn't in Europe isn't an impediment to joining the EU.

The EU is essentially a political body, not really a geographic one. Some folks on Bluesky were musing that because Canada and Denmark share a border on Hans Island so we are already a part of Europe.

What's more likely - and you're seeing politicians say this - is that there will be closer ties with Europe and increased trade relationships.

So here's the thing: the EU is fundamentally a political body, true. There's no "law of the universe" that prevents Canada from joining the EU.

But other countries have tried to join the EU and were rejected because they weren't in Europe. Morocco was rejected outright, and Turkey (which has part of it's territory in Europe, but is mostly outside) was allowed to apply but has been in limbo ever since.

If the EU admits Canada, but rejects Morocco, it frankly makes it seem like a racist/or anti-Muslim, decision, which I don't think the EU wants to do.

There's also the question of time. AS mentioned Turkey has been a potential member for decades. Any country that was admitted took years and years. Heck - Canada signed the Canada-EU Free Trade deal in 2014 - it is STILL not fully in force yet.

Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

So even if Canada and EU decided to join, and fast-track admission, the timeline would not help us out of the current tariff mess.

 

[Voight]

A former German finance minister said somewhere that that the fact that Canada isn't in Europe isn't an impediment to joining the EU.

Nach Drohungen von Trump - Früherer Bundesaußenminister Gabriel schlägt EU-Mitgliedschaft Kanadas vor

Der frühere Bundesaußenminister Gabriel hat vorgeschlagen, Kanada in die EU aufzunehmen.

www-deutschlandfunk-de.translate.goog

Here's a good explainer.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/canada-european-union-1.7446400

The EU is essentially a political body, not really a geographic one. Some folks on Bluesky were musing that because Canada and Denmark share a border on Hans Island so we are already a part of Europe.

What's more likely - and you're seeing politicians say this - is that there will be closer ties with Europe and increased trade relationships.

The EU would have to make amendments to their laws to include a non European country, and that would require all 27 members to say yes. As Yukon Joe said, the optics wouldn't be great either.

Honestly, Canada would not benefit from joining the EU. It's not worth the loss of sovereignty especially with all the changes that would come with.

 

[MeHateHe]

But other countries have tried to join the EU and were rejected because they weren't in Europe. Morocco was rejected outright, and Turkey (which has part of it's territory in Europe, but is mostly outside) was allowed to apply but has been in limbo ever since.

If the EU admits Canada, but rejects Morocco, it frankly makes it seem like a racist/or anti-Muslim, decision, which I don't think the EU wants to do.

Sure sure. I am not arguing that the EU should admit Canada, nor that Canada should apply for membership. I am saying that it is not out of the realm of possibilities and that Canada's admission would have benefits to both sides. Do those benefits outweigh the risks? I ain't Solomon so let's just saw the baby in half.

Again, this thread was always just a fanciful notion.

 

[Yukon Joe]

Honestly, Canada would not benefit from joining the EU. It's not worth the loss of sovereignty especially with all the changes that would come with.

As with all things, there would be plusses and minuses.

Joining the EU means adopting the Euro, which would be a much more stable currency than our dollar (and not so susceptible to fluctuations in the price of oil). It would mean access to free movement - as Canadians you'd have the right to live and work in any EU nation,

We'd be subject to a lot of EU regulations. Supply side-management of dairy would be gone - but we'd get tariff-free imports of all kinds of European cheeses. We'd be subject to EU regulations on all kinds of things. Just off the top of my head - we'd have to get used to Euro-style fuel economy and car safety rules. Everyone driving a pick up truck (myself included) would have quite a shock.

You think Alberta complains about equalization now? Wait until Canada has to start contributing to Bulgaria's economy.

The nice thing in this moment - if we were in the EU, Trump would have to tariff all EU goods, and then the EU as a whole would retaliate on our behalf.

 

[Voight]

As with all things, there would be plusses and minuses.

Joining the EU means adopting the Euro, which would be a much more stable currency than our dollar (and not so susceptible to fluctuations in the price of oil). It would mean access to free movement - as Canadians you'd have the right to live and work in any EU nation,

We'd be subject to a lot of EU regulations. Supply side-management of dairy would be gone - but we'd get tariff-free imports of all kinds of European cheeses. We'd be subject to EU regulations on all kinds of things. Just off the top of my head - we'd have to get used to Euro-style fuel economy and car safety rules. Everyone driving a pick up truck (myself included) would have quite a shock.

You think Alberta complains about equalization now? Wait until Canada has to start contributing to Bulgaria's economy.

The nice thing in this moment - if we were in the EU, Trump would have to tariff all EU goods, and then the EU as a whole would retaliate on our behalf.

Agreed, I just see more minuses from something like this than pluses.

 

[MeHateHe]

You think Alberta complains about equalization now? Wait until Canada has to start contributing to Bulgaria's economy.

Delete. Sarcasm isn't always funny.

 

[Golden_Jet]

As with all things, there would be plusses and minuses.

Joining the EU means adopting the Euro, which would be a much more stable currency than our dollar (and not so susceptible to fluctuations in the price of oil). It would mean access to free movement - as Canadians you'd have the right to live and work in any EU nation,

We'd be subject to a lot of EU regulations. Supply side-management of dairy would be gone - but we'd get tariff-free imports of all kinds of European cheeses. We'd be subject to EU regulations on all kinds of things. Just off the top of my head - we'd have to get used to Euro-style fuel economy and car safety rules. Everyone driving a pick up truck (myself included) would have quite a shock.

You think Alberta complains about equalization now? Wait until Canada has to start contributing to Bulgaria's economy.

The nice thing in this moment - if we were in the EU, Trump would have to tariff all EU goods, and then the EU as a whole would retaliate on our behalf.

Trump has already said tariffs to EU is coming. He’s like Oprah, you get a tariff, you get a tariff, everyone gets a tariff.

 

[Yukon Joe]

[redacted]

Cheap shot.

Try to keep this as apolitical as possible, in my opinion.

 

[MeHateHe]

Cheap shot.

Try to keep this as apolitical as possible, in my opinion.

Yeah, I was just being a smart-ass. Deleted.

 

[daver]

I came for a geopolitical discussion and a hockey game broke out.

 

[Yukon Joe]

Yeah, I was just being a smart-ass. Deleted.

In a proper political forum let me (as an Albertan) have it. No hard feelings.

 

[VictoriaJetsFan]

The climate change fanatics in the Eu will never allow us to use oil again. We'll be even poorer than we are now.

 

[Edenjung]

Canada, if it tried to enter the EU, would not be coming from a position of strength, and would have to accept the entire EU system, including the Euro.

No they don't.
Being an EU member does not mean that you have to have the Euro.
Sweden, Denmark, the czech republic, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary are all in the EU but don't have the Euro. Denmark does not need to switch ever and as long as you don't fulfill all the convergence rules then you don't switch (Sweden). And you can decide when you want to start the process of implementing the Euro.
Same goes for oversea departments of france or the netherlands. The majority of those does not have the Euro.

And you also if you join the EU, you are not immediately part of Schengen. You have to be approved for that. For example Bulgaria and Rumania were allowed to join Schengen fully just this year. If you don't want to be a member you just have to convince one country of voting against it or not to fulfill the things neccessary to be part of it like Ireland and zypress do.

Furthermore, Canada could do what Norway, Island and Switzerland do and just become an associated country (EEA member). I think that would be way more beneficial and acceptable for Canada than membership. And if they want they could ask for membership. If not then not.
Personally, I think that the EU also would prefer such a thing to having Canada join. A member on the other side of the atlantic is not something that was ever anticipated and thus I doubt it could work out. So being a member of the EEA (European economic area) could work. Or they find another solution like they did with CETA or a bilateral cooperation agreement for certain political things. That way everybody is way more flexible. A political alliance of some sort.

@VictoriaJetsFan
Last time I checked, Norway was still one of the biggest producers of natural gas in the world. And the dutch too.
There is no mechanism in the EU that does what you imply. And there is also nobody that asks for one.

Maybe inform yourself and then comment. Otherwise you just embarrass yourself.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

A few European statesmen and some wild-eyed bolsheviks at the Economist (Why Canada should join the EU) have now mused about Canada joining the EU for reasons, which naturally makes me wonder about the implications on the NHL and hockey in general. Assuming adopting the Euro would be a part of this, would having Canadian based players being paid in dollars but teams taking in revenue in Euros be more or less problematic? My sense is that the Euro is a bit more stable than the Canadian dollar and so the difference in value would be less likely to be volatile. I wonder about EU work permits and immigration rules, and whether that would make it more or less problematic for players to move across the border, or if the professional sports leagues would have to have unique rules in place. I also wonder about the draft: are their provisions of European law (specifically dealing with free movement of workers) that would constrain the league if teams played in an EU member state?

Wild eyed Bolsheviks? Ok Donald, anything you say.

 

[MeHateHe]

Wild eyed Bolsheviks? Ok Donald, anything you say.

I see you’ve not heard of this new thing the kids call “sarcasm.” Hyperbole is often the most obvious of its expressions.